Abstract

The incidence of end-stage chronic renal failure is increasing. In 1999, Schaubel and colleagues [1] reported on prevalence projections to 2005 in Canada, which can be considered representative of western countries. In 1981, the rate was 49.5 per million population, 2000 projected at 154 per million, and, in 2005, projected at 214.5 per million with a significant increase in nondiabetics 65 years and diabetics both in age categories 45–64 years and ≥65 years [1].